Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

agenteleven

hey Hardhawk, my TB LTZ came with BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires in that size. The tire may have a little more aggressive tread pattern than the Michelins.

tirerack.com has them, but they don't have a picture... I can't find a picture on bfgoodrichtires.com, either.

iws

Yes, the wire labelled CHMSL (center high mounted stop lamp) provides exactly the same feed as if you connected to the brake light switch and the AUX is the feed to the trailer. I use a Tekonsha Voyager and it connected very easily. I mounted the bracket for the controller just above my right knee by removing an existing recessed screw that holds the dash panel and purchasing one about an inch longer. By drilling a single hole in the centre of the controller bracket I was able to attach it with the longer screw without drilling any new holes. Stays in place, solid and works fine.

iws

The NHTSA site indicates a new recall (Sept 18)affecting a potential 895 Trailblazers (I did not check the Envoy or Bravada). Problem with the Transmission Transfer Case cracking.

Correction includes replacing the transfer cases and updating the control module calibration. One might question what the control module calibration has to do with cracking transfer cases. I'm waiting to see if I am one of the 895 affected.

saloveku

Anyone heard this one yet? My 17 yr. old is driving our 1 week old Envoy in rush hour yesterday and it stops. Can't get it to restart. No warning but my wife heard a sound a couple of times intermittently during the day when she had started the car that had sounded like a gear misalignment (although we don't think that's what it was) . Anyways, the tow truck guy arrives and the Envoy starts but we take it to the dealer anyway. The dealer hears the sound while driving and we leave the car overnight. He phones us today and says the onboard computer isn't working. Not an impressive start for a new vehicle. Anyone know what could be the real problem and the liklihood of them fixing it properly?

cdac51

My 2002 Chevy Trailblazer LTZ simply died on the road 9 days ago. My children decided to push it the last quarter of a mile home, and from there it was towed to the local Chevy Dealership.

It sits there, DOA, and all they can say, is "We can't figure it out, We are working on it."

Yea right. The ride was absoutely tremendous, but there is this slight problem with engine failure that I can't get past.

This is my last American made product. I've bought american for over 30 years, and this is it.

finally2

In regard to post 2287 by flyers rule. My truck is having that same pedal vibration at just about the same speed.. Just over 200 miles on the truck now. Slight increase or decrease in speed appears to resolve the vibration but it is very consistent and even predictable at that speed. Hopefully this will fade after they are broken in a little like the note in post 2295 suggests.

Anyone else with the Trailblazer notice the metal part in the back seat middle protruding out?

beach15

If you didn't see the new Envoy XL yet, here's the link to the pic again:

2002 Envoy XL

couimet

Could be interesting without the third row seating - lots of cargo space ...

jpk23

Thinking about getting a TB LTZ, have noticed that some have different gear rations: ie 3.42, 3.72, 4.1. Why the different ratios and what are the pros and cons to each.

jpk23

Am thinking about getting a new LTZ TB.....have a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis edition that looks and runs great, but eager to take advantage of the low interest rates right now. Am leary about taking a chance on a first year product. Those of you out there that have one ....are you happy you did it?

dindak

When the truck is fixed, it could likely run for years with out problems. Stuff happens, especially when the truck is brand new. Let us know what happens.

agenteleven

Yes, finally2, that exposed seat hinge and large gaping hole was the first thing I noticed in mine. I had thought that maybe there was a trim piece missing or something, but they're all that way.

Wipe the exposed part down with some 409 and a rag before you make someone sit back there... mine had a nice coat of grease on it from the factory.

It will be interesting to see how they treat this in the 2003 models.

It's not enough to get me upset about the truck too much. Hopefully, your rear seat passengers will be too distracted with the air and/or radio controls in the center console to notice the bracket/hole combination. Unless they lose a small child in it or something.

agenteleven

Do your trucks take longer to shift out of first when the truck is cold?

It just now got down to about 50 degrees here, and this morning the truck seems to spend a little longer in first gear than usual... seemed to go away after I drove a few minutes. Is this normal?

dispursing

I have a 2002 TB LTZ which is starting to have problems starting. It will start, but it is taking more cranks to get it going. Sometimes it starts right up, sometimes not. I have tried different grades of fule thinking that may be part of the problem, but no help..

Any Ideas before I take it to the Chevrolet Computer replacement brain surgeons..?

cdac51

My 2002 Blazer LTZ had only one or two quirky starts before dying on the road the other day.

We are now in Day 9 and the teckies can't figure out what is wrong.

kat1001

I picked up my Envoy a couple of days ago. I noticed that when I open the sunroof, a black bar with oblong holes pops up in the front. It looks like a windscreen should be attached to it, but there isn't anything on the bar. When I spoke to the dealer, he said that he, too, though it was wrong but checked it out and it is as it should be. Anybody out there with the same bar in their sunroof?
Thanks
Kat

tlauro

having read through a few posts, I thought I'd add my experiences.

so far...none thankfully. my 02 LTZ has started just fine, never died on the road and seems to be doing just great.

knock on some wood grain for me though.

tim

http://www.iwaynet.net/~tlauro/go-cars/trailblazer/1-main-page.html

iws

Generally the lower the number (3:42) the higher the fuel economy and the higher the number the better the towing capacity. Usually there is about 2000 to 2500 RPM difference between each gear ratio. If towing with a 4:10, for example, the engine will cruise at a higher RPM than with a 3:42 or 3:73 therefore operating the engine in a more efficient part of the torque curve. Less chance of lugging and more importantly less downshifting to maintain speed on hills etc. Heat generated by gear hunting while towing is a major cause of transmission failure.
Also, higher gears (4:10) will be quicker off the line but lower gears (3:42) will have a higher top speed. I think the standard ratio is 3:73 which kind of gives you the best of both worlds. This is what I have and I am getting averages of 26-29 MPG (canadian gallons) on a non-towing 65 MPH cruise. Pulling a 5000 lb trailer (loaded) I get an average of 12-13 MPG at 65 MPH.

tlauro

How far down have you folks gone?

I've taken my LTZ down to where the low fuel light comes on....right on the E Line and the DIC showing 15 miles to go.

Just curious. Not a good practice I know, but this week has been crazy and filling up on the way to a meeting stinks....but better than walking

tim

teo

Trailblazer, "Garbage", according to this reviewer...

http://www.thecarplace.com/notes9.htm

bryancos

An inexpensive alternative to getting new rubber for winter is just take your car in to a tire shop (such as Discount) and ask to have the tires siped instead. Siping will give better traction in wet/slippery conditions and they'll run cooler in the summer as well...

For more info on siping see:

http://www.americastire.com/tireSiping.html

tlauro

I've read Roberts articals for years now and found that he often is far from what I consider realistic.

I ran the video he has posted...never have I tried pulling off my door handle molding, window trim or ever pushed on the hard plastic surrounding the rear cargo area like he did. I will say the center console flexes more than it should, but then if it were too ridged they'd knock that too.

Mine is held together very well, has no rattles or squeaks and I'm sure if you measured the thickness of our plastic vs others...it's the same.

Nuff Said

hardhawk

My Envoy has the same slotted wind deflector. I had a 92 Buick Park Ave Ultra that had a solid pop up deflector, and that thing made a god awful buffeting noise at speed when the sunroof was open. I think the slotted design is to keep the majority of the wind out but let enough through to stop the buffeting noise. Just my guess, but I know the Envoy deflector is WAY quieter than the old Buick was.

hardhawk

I ran my Envoy down the other day as well. I was down to 27 miles to go on the DIC and my low fuel light had still not come on! I had an 85 Pontiac 6000 STE with a low fuel light that would come on only after you had sputtered to a stop with an empty gas tank. I will ask my dealer how low the tank should be before the light comes on. I think it is supposed to come on at about the 1/8 mark.

labrecque

During the first few gas fill ups, what is everyone seeing for oil usage?

saloveku

Mine came on today with 27km left. And that was just about how far I got before I ran out of gas!!!

hardhawk

My Envoy used about 3/4 of a quart in the first 2500 miles. That is not unusual for a new engine breaking in based on my past experience.

dindak

I think that guy is on crack. Parts of the "review" are just way off being close to meaningful. His other pieces also seemed a bit wacked. Stick to the car magazines for reviews.

ees1996

7456 miles and no trouble so far. Gas milage has improved since about 4500 miles. (most miles are highway) Going in on friday for 7500 mile service and oil change. Happy Trail Blazin!!!!

ees1996

That black vented bar in the sunroof is the way it is supposed to be. . It cuts down on the "helicopter effect" by cutting the amount of air allowed into the sunroof. Im sure some company will be coming out with the deflector shield soon one that you can mount on the roof forward of the opening.

penny14

Within the first 3 days after we took delivery on our Bravada we noticed periodically that the engine seemed to be idling at a higher rate of speed - which would usually go away after about 1/2 mile of driving. It was wierd because the rpm's weren't reflecting that. Started to think that maybe it was a transmission problem (not downshifting quick enough). Then, last week with 2800 miles on the car, I started it and drove one mile and all was fine. Made a quick one minute stop to pick something up and the car wouldn't start. You would turn the key and---nothing. After about 5 minutes it started turning over, but wouldn't engage. After about 10 minutes it started but the engine had that wierd sound and it didn't go away. I drove about 2 miles and called my dealer and had them tow it in. They said it was the coolant sensor. It was apparently telling the engine not to start because it thought it was overheating. They removed the alternator, replaced the part and so far (about 4 days) it is working fine. I was pretty disgusted with Onstar since I thought they should be able to diagnose computer problems remotely. Guess not. Hopefully this may help some of you solve your starting problem. Other than this I love this car!

saloveku

Do you really have to wait before going over 55 as it says in my Envoy owners manual? What's the consequence?

stever

another gem from GM

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

kat1001

Thanks for the info on the sunroof. It's not the most attractive thing in the world, but I guess it's better than giving my ear drums a beating.

hambone7

Good article about the TB...

One statement got me scratching my head though. The guy said that people liked the chrome bar across the grill...but the test vehicle was an LTZ which has a painted bar rather than the chrome one found the LS and LT.

agenteleven

Good eye, Hambone!

dave232

Just read the road test by Liz Kim and wonder what she was smoking? Most of my mileage has been hiway. To Canada and back 22.6 to US gal.Curving roads of W.VAat 70 mph couldnt be happier. Not a rattle or squeak. Sound system is great. I also own a 740 BMW and though there is a bigcost difference the Envoy is close. Burnt a Qt.oil in first 1500 none since. I have an Slt 2WD 342 rear.

mgrcm

I wouldn't worry about that 55 mph stuff,they screwed up so much at the dealership when I went to pick up my Envoy that I was running late for work.I had to do 85 up the interstate to get to work on time which was about 30 miles away.Needless to say I broke it in the way I was going to be driving it.Besides that's why they make warrenty's.

finally2

To Worried JPK23:
~ don't worry at all. GO FOR IT. The trailblazer is an awesome truck you will love it! No doubts...

There was a post out here on the gear ratios which indicated that the lower the ratio the better the mileage.. is that true?

My 3.42 is still only on the second tank of gas and I am "still" only seeing (now) 14.8 MPG.. I am sure hopeful that will change cause heavens knows if I ever pull something I'll end up with 8MPG under tow..Does anyone know about those gas "enhancers" things. I saw it on the news sometime ago? I would not try it yet but if it doesn't improve in the next few months over time I may~

I have slow gear shifts too when she's not warmed up... then it goes away..From these posts this sounds normal?

Agent 11 thanks for the confirmation on that darn pole in the backseat..

Time to take another ride~~ Gotta keep breaking er in...

Awesome truck... "awesome!"

dispursing

Thanks Penny14. I will have the dealer check into the coolant sensor. It seems to be getting worse when the truck is warm starting harder and harder, so I think you may have pinpointed or at the very least point me in the right direction... Thanks again..

agenteleven

I've read on here before about someone's OnStar rearview mirror making a high pitched squeal. Mine does it. I made it go away by squeezing the right side of the mirror (pushing the back housing into the front trim like you're trying to snap the mirror back together). When I let go, the squealing stopped.

You'll know you're squeezing the right place because the squeal gets much louder when it's squeezed. Let go and it goes away (or lessens in volume)

It may not be a permanent fix. I suspect that the electronics are packed in there so tight that they cause resonance in the glass. If it REALLY gets to buggin' me, I'll figure out something else. No way the dealer will ever be able to hear the sound it's making, so I think I'm on my own on this one.

If yours isn't squealing, DON'T GO MASHING AROUND ON YOUR MIRROR. It could start the squealing, and trust me, you don't want to hear the squealing.

Side note: I'm normally not a "tissue guy," but the center console is the perfect shape and size to hold one of those cube-type tissue boxes. Throw those CDs out, first. Don't ask me how I know.

zecgeotz

Has anyone experienced that upon entering your truck you hear what can be described as a "small motor running". It can be heard coming from behind the driver on the left side. You can even hear it without putting the key in the ignition. My suspicion is that its the air pump for the suspension.

agenteleven

zecgeotz- Is it coming from that small round grill in the B pillar beside the driver's left ear? I don't know what that grill is for, but I remember reading about something similar on another board.

It was on an Impala or Tahoe. They reported some sort of noise from that grill. It seems it may have something to do with the automatic temperature control.

The search function for these boards is horrible. Otherwise I could find the message. It may not be where your noise is from.

I don't notice the noise on my TB LTZ. But the memory seat motor runs long enough to return the seat to my position.

hambone7

Transmission shifting - I noticed that the transmission shifted slowly during the first 1000 miles of it's life. Now that it has almost 2000 miles I think it's shifting much better. During those first 1000 miles it seemed to take 2-4 seconds to shift between gears, particularly when cold (even in the middle of the summer).

Gas mileage - I have the 3.73 gears and get 12-13 miles per gallon in city driving. With some highway driving I can average 15-16 max. So, I'm not happy about the mileage. I see others posting much better mileage in the city. If I watch the DIC average mileage at stop lights, I can watch the average go down a tenth about every minute. I believe there is something wrong with the computer setting or something else at idle since it is so inefficient. On the highway I get 20-22 MPG. It's just at idle that's it's inefficient.

agenteleven

hambone, how often are you resetting the average mileage on the DIC? More frequent resets will result in the drop in average before your eyes that you're seeing.

Are you figuring your mileage the old-fashioned way to check against your DIC? I have found that my DIC average reads about 0.5 to 0.7 MPG better than what I'm really getting. This may not be good news for you.

hambone7

I reset it when I fill up. I will have at least 30 miles from the time I reset it when I notice the DIC going down a tenth every minute or less. After about 60 miles, the DIC will go down a tenth about every minute or two at idle.

I went the EPA site to see what "city" means in the test. It stated 18% of the trip was idling at stop signs. The test is for 11 miles, 31 minutes long, has 23 stops with an average of 20 MPH. It was actually more "city" driving than I do...and the EPA got better gas mileage.

I have noticed that the DIC shows better than reality gas mileage. I was stating actual miles driven/gallons of gas used.

agenteleven

hambone: I'll check my average on the DIC tonight to see if it drops while idling. I reset mine at every fill-up and I've gone a hundred miles or so. The next time I fill up I'll watch it pretty close, too.

This reminds me of my college roommate's Cutlass. When you revved the car at idle, you could actually watch the gas gauge move towards empty. It didn't really use that much gas, and it would take a few minutes to come back to the right level. It was fun while it lasted.

finally2

Ok you two.. Hambone and Agent..on this mileage thing.. I have no clew what you are talking about on this idle decline on the DIC etc..I don't think I will look at that cause it might make me think to hard...I am doing my best not to check this all the time cause it is a little disheartening.. All I know is I filled the tank full.. reset the DIC and now that the tank is almost empty. Since it is almost empty it now says wala! (average 15.1) -in the big league now laff..says I have 33 miles left on the tank and have gone about 288... so ~ go figure that one? I gotta believe she can do better either way in the long run... Hambone how could you be getting the same on 3.73? Seems odd.. I guess that depends on what/where your driving to.. I am making a point of pushing some highway miles in too.. I will wait till the tanks gone and do the manuals too..

Regardless...still a great truck..:)

Anyone else find these trucks slow to halt? I am thinking it's just me but thought I would ask anyway.. maybe it's just a lot heavier than I am used too and no..I don't think I am driving too fast.. (not yet anyway)

Also.. what exactly is a "squeeling" mirror? That sounds very odd..

Anyone know where to get one of those inside cargo liners for this truck?..

Thanks.. Have a great weekend.

hardhawk

I think the small round grille on the driver's side "B" pillar is the microphone pickup for the OnStar system. Perhaps there is a problem with that system that is causing some sort of noise. I have not heard anything, but perhaps it is because I have my sunroof open and the Bose CD system blaring when I drive!

labrecque

Have about 400 miles on my Envoy with the 4.10 axle ratio. I have been averaging about 18 mpg on the last tank. About 100 miles of highway and 40 miles of "city" driving. How does that compare to what others are seeing. In regards to the mileage dropping at lights, I too have seen it go down about a tenth. Very weird.